A Bristol man fears he will have to sell his home after driving into our Clean Air Zone up to 30 times without realising.
Henry Franklin believed his car complied with the rules, and used it during his daily commute to work. He now faces huge fines from Bristol City Council and fears he might lose his home and job.
The 36-year-old drove through CAZ areas between February and March while travelling to his job in Hewish. So far he's been fined £4,000 but he expects the total to increase.
He said: "I felt angry, frustrated and tired when I realised I was going to be fined. This new system is confusing for a number of reasons. I can’t fathom why they’ve chosen the area they have for the CAZ, other than to generate lots of fines.
"A clean air zone in a densely populated area like Easton, St Paul’s or Bedminster. But they choose the centre, which is relatively sparsely populated."
He also feels annoyed that fines were only sent out by the council after the six-day grace period.
"I felt frustrated because I bought a new car to get to a new job and despite my best efforts, the council has designed a system that is difficult to understand.," he said
He now drives a longer route to avoid paying the CAZ fee, which means his commute is 'far longer' and now 'worse for the environment'.
Now he fears for his future as he is unable to afford the fees.
He said: "I live paycheque to paycheque. If all these fines are upheld, I’m looking at roughly £4,000 to pay. That will certainly mean I have to sell my car and quit my job. It will also likely mean I have to sell up and leave Bristol. I hasten to add, though, that I’ve appealed every PCN I’ve had so far, but the council hasn’t yet acted on them."
Daily charges for cars in the CAZ will set you back £9 if you pay ahead, signs are in place to warn motorists they are about to enter the area. The total cost of driving in Bristol's CAZ without paying is £129 per day after the grace period ended on January 8, or £69 if the fine is paid within 14 days.
Bristol City Council is reviewing the 'case and the appeals' made.
What's your experience been like of Bristol's CAZ? Email emma.grimshaw@reachplc.com
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